Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastics in the ocean in Latin America and the Caribbean

This review assessed microplastic prevalence in ocean waters across Latin America and the Caribbean, finding that mismanaged waste and wastewater are critical pollution sources, while highlighting the need for more research on effects on local biota and human health.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 28 citations
Review Tier 2

Review of current trends, advances and analytical challenges for microplastics contamination in Latin America

This review compiled 78 studies on microplastic contamination across Latin America and found that research in the region remains limited, with Brazil accounting for 34% of all studies. Fibers were the most prevalent microplastic type found, making up 62% of particles, with polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, and polystyrene accounting for 80% of identified polymers. The study highlights significant gaps in standardized methodologies that make it difficult to establish baseline microplastic pollution levels across the region.

2020 Environmental Pollution 128 citations
Article Tier 2

Litter assessment on sandy beaches along the Brazilian coast: a large-scale analysis of macrolitter and microplastics

Researchers conducted a large-scale assessment of macrolitter and microplastic contamination on sandy beaches along the Brazilian coast, characterizing pollution patterns, dominant polymer types, and potential anthropogenic sources across multiple sites.

2025 Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo)
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characterization of microplastics on sandy beaches along the coastal area of Belize

Researchers quantified and characterized microplastic abundance on sandy beaches along the coastal zone of Belize, establishing baseline contamination data for a region of Central America and the Caribbean where such pollution assessments are critically lacking.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin
Article Tier 2

Meso- and microplastic composition, distribution patterns and drivers: A snapshot of plastic pollution on Brazilian beaches

A standardized survey of plastic pollution across 22 sandy beaches spanning over 4600 km of Brazilian coast found widespread contamination in coastal sediments, with polymer type, size, and distribution patterns reflecting diverse sources including fishing activity and urban runoff.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Contaminação Por Microplásticos Em Praias Arenosas No Brasil: Uma Revisão Sistemática

This review systematically examines microplastic contamination studies on sandy beaches across Brazil, covering publications from the first Brazilian study in 2009 onward and identifying that sediment (76% of studies), water (12%), and biota (12%) are the primary compartments investigated. The review finds tourism, fishing, and river discharge as the main microplastic sources, and identifies significant methodological gaps that limit cross-study comparisons.

2023 Oecologia Australis 3 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A systematic review and scientometrics analysis on microplastic pollution on coastal beaches around the globe

This systematic review analyzes microplastic pollution on coastal beaches worldwide. The research found that beach contamination varies widely by region but is present on virtually every coastline studied. This matters because beaches are not just recreational areas but also habitats where microplastics can enter marine food webs and eventually reach people through seafood consumption.

2025 Continental Shelf Research 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of the occurrence of microplastics in beach sand on the Brazilian coast

Researchers evaluated microplastic occurrence in beach sand along the Brazilian coastline using a simplified methodology. The study found widespread microplastic contamination and identified potential pollution sources linked to coastal urbanization and ocean currents.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Widespread microplastics distribution at an Amazon macrotidal sandy beach

Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination at a macrotidal sandy beach on the Amazon coast of Brazil, detecting an average of 492.5 particles per square meter with fibers dominating across three depth strata down to 60 cm.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 75 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic occurrence, distribution, and zonation at Paraná’s beaches—South of Brazil

Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic distribution and zonation on beaches in Paraná state, southern Brazil, characterizing MP concentrations, polymer types, and morphologies across multiple beach zones to establish a baseline for this understudied South American coastline.

2025 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Presencia de microplásticos en cuatro playas arenosas de Perú

Microplastic fragments were found on four sandy beaches along the Peruvian coast, with the most contaminated beach having over 500 fragments per square meter. The findings document microplastic contamination in South American Pacific coastal environments where little prior data existed.

2017 Revista Peruana de Biología 52 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastics in Latin America and the Caribbean: A review on current status and perspectives

This review assessed the current status of microplastic research across Latin America and the Caribbean, covering occurrence in water, sediments, and soil, as well as effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and identifying key knowledge gaps in the region.

2022 Journal of Environmental Management 88 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of plastic debris in the South American Atlantic Ocean coast – Distribution, characteristics, policies and legal aspects

Researchers compiled and reviewed studies on plastic debris along the entire South American Atlantic coast, covering distribution patterns, types of plastic, and existing policies. They found that macroplastic items like packaging and cigarette butts dominate beach litter, while microplastic contamination is widespread in water and sediment across the region. The review highlights significant gaps in research coverage and inconsistencies in national regulations that hinder effective plastic pollution management.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution across the Brazilian coastline: Evidence from the MICROMar project, the largest coastal survey in the Global South

As part of Brazil's MICROMar project, researchers analysed 4,134 samples from 1,024 beaches along approximately 7,500 km of Brazilian coastline to produce the largest standardised coastal microplastic survey in the Global South. Microplastics were found ubiquitously, with concentration patterns linked to population density, coastal morphology, and river inputs.

2025 Environmental Research
Article Tier 2

Pollution by microplastic in highly crowded sandy beaches in Lima, Peru

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination at three heavily visited sandy beaches in Lima, Peru, finding fragments and fibers of polypropylene and polyethylene as the most common particles, with abundance varying by season and beach characteristics.

2023 Environmental Quality Management 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Methodological similarities and discrepancies among studies on microplastics in South American continental aquatic environments

Researchers conducted a systematic review of 57 studies on microplastic pollution in South American continental aquatic environments, identifying significant methodological discrepancies in sampling, detection limits, and sample preparation that limit cross-study comparability and proposing standardization approaches.

2025 Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Latin America and the Caribbean: On the adoption of reporting standards and quality assurance and quality control protocols

This review of 193 microplastic studies from Latin America and the Caribbean found that over 80% lacked standardized analytical protocols and quality assurance controls, making cross-study comparisons unreliable. Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile contributed the most research, with marine ecosystems and biota (primarily fish) as the most studied targets.

2022 Environmental Advances 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution, characteristics and short-term variability of microplastics in beach sediment of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil

Researchers conducted daily beach sediment sampling on Fernando de Noronha Archipelago in Brazil, documenting large spatial and temporal variability in microplastic concentrations (0.6-1,059 particles/m) and finding that remote island beaches are not protected from microplastic contamination.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 41 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastics in Latin America Ecosystems: A Critical Review of the Current Stage and Research Needs

This systematic review of 196 studies reveals that Latin America, which consumes 8% of the world's plastic but recycles only 4.5%, has significant gaps in microplastic contamination data. Understanding the distribution of microplastics in Latin American ecosystems is critical for assessing potential health risks to the region's populations.

2022 Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution on Caribbean beaches in the Lesser Antilles

Researchers found an average of 261 microplastics per kilogram of dry sand across beaches on four Lesser Antilles islands, with fibres comprising over 95% of particles and concentrations reaching up to 620 microplastics/kg on Saint Martin. Microplastic levels varied significantly among islands, with St. Eustatius showing notably lower contamination than the others.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 123 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic occurrence in Macaronesia: Three years of monitoring on forty-six beaches across nineteen islands in an Atlantic region

Researchers conducted a three-year seasonal monitoring campaign across 46 beaches on 19 Macaronesian islands, collecting over 271,000 plastic items and documenting average microplastic concentrations of 1,760 items/m2, with the Canary Islands showing the highest contamination, polyethylene and polypropylene fragments dominating, and five new plastic accumulation hotspots identified.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in brazilian marine environments: a study on beaches in São Francisco do Sul - SC

Beach surveys along São Francisco do Sul in southern Brazil confirmed widespread microplastic presence in coastal sediments, with polymer composition reflecting regional plastic waste streams. The study adds to the body of evidence that Brazilian coastlines are significantly contaminated and calls for national monitoring standards to track and manage the problem.

2023 LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas)
Article Tier 2

Abundance and distribution of microplastics on sandy beaches of Lima, Peru

This survey assessed microplastic pollution on four popular sandy beaches of Lima, Peru, sampling both intertidal and supralittoral zones. Microplastics were found at all sites, with fragments being the most common morphology, and concentrations varying across beach zones and locations.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 147 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution on Colombian Central Caribbean beaches

Researchers conducted a baseline survey of microplastic contamination on Colombia's Central Caribbean Coast beaches, documenting MP types, sizes, and polymer compositions for the first time in that region and finding primarily secondary microplastics from fragmented larger debris.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 133 citations